What are the risks of cardiac radiofrequency ablation?

Cardiac radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive interventional procedure. The ablation process refers to entering the inside of the heart through the cardiac catheter, thus causing heat necrosis to a part of the heart muscle. Cardiac radiofrequency ablation is very less invasive and low risk. The risk is mainly reflected in the following two aspects: 1. During the puncture process, deep veins, such as subclavian vein and femoral vein, need to be punctured. The catheter is sent into the heart through the venous system to find the target point where the lesion is located, so there may be damage to the vein; 2. During the ablation process inside the heart, some of the heart muscle may be damaged or even the heart may be stabbed because of the catheter inside the heart. In addition, part of the special heart conduction structure, i.e., the nerves in the heart, may be blocked by ablation, resulting in a slowed heartbeat. Although the above situation sounds very scary, there are more clinical summaries of the above complications and risks. Therefore, the risk is extremely low when treated in a more mature electrophysiology center and according to standard operating protocols.